Saving Simplified

I’m on a diet’, is the latest ‘in’ thing to say, if a Kareena Kapoor can do it, so can we. But what exactly is a diet ? While we all seem to be obsessed with it, hardly anyone understands the concept.

Dieting is not about renouncing food but eating sensibly by cutting down on foods which are high in fat content. One maybe dieting for medical reasons or else for that va va voom figure!, but a proper guide is of absolute importance if you want to cut the flab but not underscore your health at the same time. Now, don’t look so confused, for a few simple tips is all that’s needed to equip you to come out with flying colours.

Dieting Tip #1 – Firstly, never, ever skip breakfast especially when dieting: Ever wondered what the term ‘Breakfast’ , is all about ? This actually means breaking your fast, so after an extended period of fasting ie.while you were sleeping, this forms your first food intake of the day. This meal helps your body to wake up and start the process of digestion and calorie burning once more. Breakfast helps kickstart this process and also revs you up by giving you plenty of energy for the day ahead.

Dieting Tip #2 – Drink plenty of water: Drink atleast 6-8 glasses of water a day, for this helps aid digestion, keeps your skin hydrated and better looking and best of all makes one feel less hungry through the day.

Dieting Tip #3 – Eat sensibly: Avoid white and starchy food. White bread, cakes should be avoided for they have a lot of starchy content leaving you feeling bloated up, these foods also do not keep you full for a long time. So try replacing these with fibrous wholemeal products.

Dieting Tip #4 – Say no to television meals: Sitting and eating in front of the television is one of the biggest banes of our times. It takes away our attention from the food hence ending up in our consuming many more calories than we require.

Dieting Tip #5 – Don’t fry food: Frying any type of food adds unnecessary calories to it. Instead prepare food using grill, oven or steaming methods which will not only help retain the vitamin content but also keep those calories at bay.

Dieting Tip #6 – Minimise on eating out: Try carrying home cooked lunch and give a miss to restaurant food. Even much hyped low calorie options at restaurants make use of a lot of processed ingredients which are high in sugar and salt content, thus negating the effect a good deal.

Dieting Tip #7 – Not all fruits and veggies are diet friendly: Are you aware that though generally a generous helping of fruits and veggies is considered quite beneficial and healthy for any one on a diet, not all qualify under this category. Few of these should be had only in moderation as they are higher in sugar content than their counterparts, among these are – bananas, figs, prunes, raisins, grapes, potatoes, peas, carrots and corn.

Dieting Tip #8 – Exercise : Last but surely not the least, exercising is a must for it helps aid digestion and burning of calories. Just 30 minutes a day could make for a healthier you. Go for something which you enjoy so that you can sustain it over a period of time be it – swimming, dancing, walking, skipping, playing tennis or cycling. If the routine gets monotonous moving onto some other form of exercise may do the trick, so keep at it and you’ll be all set.

All these tips are surefire pointers for a healthier and may I add undoubtedly a trimmer and smarter you.

However there are times when one has no choice but to hobnob with those very foods which you’ve been trying to avoid. Don’t lose your cool, keep your eyes peeled and you’ll come out tops even in such situations.

Partying or Dining out: no hassles, try eating as much salad as possible and only then move onto the main course. Chances are that your stomach already being quite full will tend to go more slow and not binge on the more fatty butter chicken and paneer makhani. Also if dessert is something which you can’t do without try going for fresh fruits, these will not only bring your meal to a sweet end but also save you from excess calories.

If drinking alcohol try putting in some food in your stomach before you drink for the food will help slow down the absorption rate of the sugar in your blood and keep your insulin levels in check. Try also for a smaller amount of carb intake in your meal if you’re having alcohol .

As you can see a sensible approach is not necessarily a tasteless one but instead is one which makes it possible to enjoy the tastes of life in a medicine free and hasslefree manner for a much longer while.

There go some tips on dieting … before you embark on your next diet … and hopefully your last one that lasts. If that’s not a win, win situation what is!!

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